MASSIVE CARVED IVORY GOTHIC STYLE VIRGIN & CHILD
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A LARGE & IMPRESSIVE CARVED IVORY GOTHIC STYLE VIRGIN & CHILD, PROBABLY 19TH CENTURY. Carved in full round from a single tusk, the elegant sway of the Virgin’s pose following the natural curve of the tusk. Carved with deep folds, good proportions and cascading hair. The crowned Virgin holds the infant Christ who looks lovingly at his mother and holds an apple in his right hand symbolizing the fruit of paradise that became the cause of Adam’s fall. Resting on a stepped oak base with overhanging ledge, height of carved ivory 22.7 inches (57.5cm) Overall height including base 27.75 inches (70.5cm). A stunningly beautiful carving.
In Judeo/Christian tradition, the term Ivory Tower is a symbol for noble purity. It originates with the Song of Solomon (7,4) ("Your neck is like an ivory tower"; in the Hebrew Masoretic text, it is found in 7:5) and was included in the epithets for Mary in the sixteenth century Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary ("tower of ivory", in Latin Turris eburnea), though the title and image was in use long before that, since the 12th century Marian revival at least.
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MASSIVE CARVED IVORY GOTHIC STYLE VIRGIN & CHILD
Estimate $7,500 - $10,000
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